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 Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 1:51 pm
Kamawi gave a slow, lazy yawn as he padded along the edge of a river, away from where he had met up with his wayward brother, and traveling sister. They had not seen their brother since he was banished from their pride for his love of a lion. It was good to see their father hadn't managed to hunt him down and tear him to shreds yet.
The entirety of the royal family had left the pride, it seemed... Mkrogi had fled... His father had given chase. His mother had gone to stop his father... And Kamawi and his sister had both left in search of their parents, leaving their consorts to rule in their place.
He couldn't help but chuckle out softly at the absurdity of it. He had not managed to find his mother... But he had found three new companions, who were following him to join with the pride. All in all, the trip was very much worth it." What are you chuckling over, cat? " Mkora grumbled from his perch on Kamawi's back, feathers ruffling a bit. The bird was... grumpy, at best. Mawi hadn't really chosen to accept this certain companion. No, the bird had all but forced him to take him along, or eat him. Luckily he had gone with the first. He loved to be critical of every move the young ruler made. And there was much to criticize about the lazy leopard.
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Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 2:07 pm
Hera. Sleek. Petite. Feminine in every way. She darted through the trees with swift and practised paws, moving quietly as the landscape would allow. After a moment, though, it seemed as if she were not running for fun, but because she was afraid.
She paused and set both paws on a fallen log which rocked beneath her weight and paused to glance over her shoulder. Good. She wasn't being followed any more.
She didn't hate lions but they did scare her and one had decided to try bullying her. She hadn't stuck around to see if he'd carry out his threats. Instead she'd darted away, using the limbs of trees to make a quick and skillful escape. But now she was tired and alone again and the trees were left behind her.
She felt...vulnerable.
She turned her head to face the direction she had been running, spying a river and...a figure moving there? Oh no...not another lion! She instantly hunkered down, hoping that they wouldn't spot her. But with her bright red pelt, the only way she wouldn't be seen was if the other was blind!
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Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 2:25 pm
She could have been in a good bit of luck, really. Kamawi did happen to be half blind, his bad eye to her as he moved along the river-bank. Mkora, however, had perfect eyes, which were quick to narrow in on the bright red pelt of fur. Spreading his winds wide, he launched off of Mawi, startling the leopard as he flew over to the bright female. " Well well well!! What have we here? A cowering little kitten? How cute! How sad! " The bird laughed out as he began circling the leopardess, much like a vulture would.
Mawi growled in agitation as his companion began taunting at the red form he could see now that he had turned toward them, moving to stalk towards the wearily. Mkora claimed the other was cowering, but the bird had been known to trick him before. For all he knew, the other creature was laying in wait to attack him.
He slowly made his way around the log, eyes falling on the smaller, female leopard in surprise. Any other creature, he would be weary, and hostile. But a fellow leopard?
" Be silent, Mkora!! " He called out to the bird, slowly moving close to the female. " My lady. Are you alright? " He asked in a much softer, worried, tone.
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Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 2:42 pm
A shadow fell over her. The shadow of a bird. A bird taunting her from its flight. She shuddered and drew back, tempted to run back into the trees even when she knew that the lion lay somewhere in the shadow there.
And, the bird being a good distraction, when the male voice sounded out, Hera thought she might almost have a heart-attack. This was too much for one day!! And then...and then she realised who it was who spoke. No lion. No cheetah. No half-breed. No. A leopard. A male leopard and now he spoke soft and gentle and she felt she might cry.
She did.
The tears welled and trickled down her cheeks and, swiftly, she found her paws and closed the distance between them. "I'm fine. Much better to see you, fellow leopard. I am Hera. It has been long since I have seen another of my kind here."
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Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 2:56 pm
The tears shocked the male as he stared at the female, Hera... A paw raised up as a smile come to him, soothingly rubbing at her head, and ears. " Now, now, my lady. Tears do not suit you in the least. My name is Kamawi. I am a Chief of the Usafi'tukufu. We are also known as the 'Leopard supremacists'.. " He chuckled out, not attempted to deny such a thing. It was true, after all. They welcomed only Leopards, prey beasts, and the Gorillas who shared their jungle with them.
" It seems you've been having a tough time, hmm? Are you in need of a guard? " He asked softly. For a ruler, Kamawi was actually quite caring and compassionate, unlike his father, who cared little for anyone 'below his status'. There was only relief when he, and his sister Sayen took the thrones with their mates after the disaster.
" I would be more than willing to aid you, if you are in trouble? We Leopard really must stick together, after all. " He offered, finally removing his paw from her head.
" Oh yes! If your lucky, he may not even doze off and leave you defenseless. He's quite a lazy one, you know. I've seen him sleep standing! " The bird laughed out wildly. He really did not seem to be entirely sane.
" Too lazy to even make proper introductions! I am Mkora. Master thief, and helpful companion. " He said, bringing a wing forward to give a gentlemanly bow to the female.
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Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 3:13 pm
"A c-chief?" She replied softly. She had never heard of such a thing. A gathering of leopards in the fashion of a lion pride? She had only dreamed of such things. Being able to spend her day with others of her kind, rarely being alone.
"It's okay now." She assured him. "It was a lion, that is all. Scared me, so I ran. But I was swifter than he and managed to escape. I expect he's still bumbling about in the trees." She gave him a shaky smile, but it was genuine.
"Thank you. I could do with some company and...I really don't feel like going back in there." She indicated the trees with a tilt of her head. "Kamawi, would you....would you tell me more about your group?" Her eyes then went to the bird. A master thief indeed? And a polite one at that. A bow? She dipped her head towards him, smiling.
"Nice to meet you Mkora. Nice to meet both of you. Truly."
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Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 3:23 pm
Mawi rolled his eyes at his companions words, moving to nudge the female to start her walking with him, returning to the rived bank. He continued to moved up it, humming out thoughtfully. Best to be further out of the area if there was a chance the lion still chased her.
" We livewithin the Congo Jungle, a place many are afraid to tread because of the massive Gorillas. We have a treaty of peace, with them though. So it is safe for us. The land is beautiful. And there are many structures, like crafted caves. The eldest of us called them 'temples'. They were left behind by strange, two-legged creatures, who resemble the apes. " He explained as the walked, Mkora flying high above them, making himself useful for once, scouting for any danger.
" Myself, and my sister, Sayen, lead the colony since my father left the land, and the second chief, the father of my mate, passed away. When I was still young, there was a disaster... A strange sickness that spread the land. We lost many... And for a long time, the colony was in ruin. We are working very hard, now, to rebuild. " He gave her the basics of the story, for it was a very long, sad tale, one that he did not wish to revisit whil traveling.
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Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 3:30 pm
She moved willingly after, glad to be away from the shadow of the trees for the first time in her life. Glad to be with another of her kind. She listened to him describe the pride, intrigued and drawn to the prospect of spending her days amongst others.
Could this be her chance to make friends? Take a mate? Have a family? Spend some time enjoying life?
"It sounds like a wonderful place for leopards, despite the hardship. When you say rebuild, do I take this to mean you are accepting new members, Kamawi?"
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Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 3:47 pm
" That we are, My Lady, Hera. While out here, seeking my mother, I have found quite a few Leopards who wish to return home with me. We are headed there now, in fact. The others went ahead of me, as I had come across my siblings, just a day ago, and wished to spend time with them. I expect to meet up with them soon, as I told them to continue following the river. " He explained, head tilting to look to her with his good eye.
" Were you, perhaps, interested in coming with us? If that is the case, I will just need to ask you a few questions about yourself. " He said softly, giving her a reassuring smile. They were not questions to decide if she was worthy, or not. Simply things he would need to know, in relation to the pride. He did not want her thinking that he would turn anyone who would believe their ideals away.
" Such as, what kind of skills you may wish to offer to the colony? We have things split up in a fairly simple fashion. Guards, warriors, and hunters are the primary jobs in our land. Do any of those suit you? If not, I am positives I may find a place for you elsewhere. " He hummed out thoughtfully. " Changes can always be made. I am the Chief, after all. " He chuckled out easily.
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Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 7:13 am
She watched him intently, nodding when need be. "I am." She replied, for she was very interested indeed. "Questions? Of course. I'll answer as best as I can." She smiled in return and hoped that she would answer well. This may be her only chance at finding a family and she did not want to ruin it.
"My skills?" She paused. "Well, I don't think I would make a good warrior. I have never been in a fight and would never wish to. Conflict of that sort scares me, if I'm honest." She lowered her eyes, hoping he wouldn't find that shameful. He seemed to be quite a warrior himself.
"As for the skills I do have. I am swift of paw and quiet too. I have spent my life keeping out of sight and no well how to mask my tracks. Perhaps this can be targeted towards hunting if you feel that suitable?"
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Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 9:12 am
" There is no shame in a wish to avid conflict, my lady. It is an admirable thing. We are not a pride who seeks out battle. We simply wish to maintain our private life. " He said as he gave her another smile. " Warriors and Guards are both meant for out protection, and defense. "
" Hmm. It does sound like hunting would be a good place for you. We will always be in need for more hunters to help feed the pride as we grow larger, and there are many types of game in the jungle, for you to test and improve your skill on. One of our experienced hunters would likely be willing to take you on a hunt when we arrive and see if you like the job. " He gave an easy nod at this, obviously approving of her choice as they continued along the bank, already making the long trek that would return them to the male's home.
" The next question is... personal. But it is very important that I know the truth of it. Lions... Cheetahs... We with nothing to do with them. More than that, we consider them tainted. Have you.. ever lain with with? Have you ever birthed the un-natural children? " He said as he tilted his head to watch her closely, and make sure that she told him the absolute truth in this. " If you have, it is alright, still. I simply must know. There are ceremonies of cleansing that must be performed the second we arrive. One of the Leopardess we are traveling with had already admitted to needing the cleansing. "
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Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 9:38 am
She smiled, knowing that she would try her hardest to do all she could to be successful in her role of huntress. She could sneak up on prey with ease - though often she struggled to maintain a good enough grip on larger prey to keep it from escape. She was a quick learner, however, and she would make sure to pay great attention in any lessons given to her.
"Thank you so much." She concluded with a thrum.
And then the next question. Nerves lit in her chest at this. Personal? It was silly because she had never done anything except live a peaceful and simple life. And when the question was out she shook her head, fiercely. "Oh, um, no. I have been friends with one once, a half-breed." She continued. "But I have never had...um...that sort of relationship with anyone." She dipped her head, embarrassed. She had longed for a mate and children since reaching adulthood and yet it had never happened. Her experience in that department was nil at best.
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Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 9:59 am
He chuckled out, looking a bit embarrassed himself for having to have asked that. He looked forward again to watch where they walked, nodding his head. " Then let me be the first to welcome you to our colony. Though, we're not quite there yet. " He smiled.
" Friends you will find there, very easily. You already have on in me. " He assured her. " Err... though, don't mind my mate, Fu. She can be a bit... unwelcoming... toward my female friends. " He laughed, shaking his head at the silly-ness of his love. " She may look scary, but she's harmless. "
" I've no doubt, eventually, you will also find family, and love within our lands... " He sounded very certain of this, giving her a wide grin. He was such an odd leader. Rarely serious.
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Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 10:04 am
"Thank you, thank you. Thank you so much, truly. You have brought me such happiness that I can't even begin to describe." The thought of friends and family was overwhelming, brought tears of joy springing to her eyes.
"I will be on my best behaviour in her presence. I wouldn't wish to offend her." She nodded swiftly, smiling. "I hope you are right. It's so hard to be alone."
And that was it. She was caught, set out on this new stage of life, prepared to follow this male to his lands and start her new life.
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